In cases of stroke, within just a few minutes, if the brain does not receive enough blood, brain cells will begin to die.
Stroke is a significant medical issue. The disease occurs with a prevalence of 0.2% in the community. It is most commonly seen in individuals over 65 years of age, with an incidence of about 1%. However, in recent years, there has been a rising trend of strokes occurring in younger individuals.
Globally, stroke is the third leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It is also the leading cause of disability among neurological disorders.
According to Dr. Vu Quynh Huong from the Senior Staff Examination Department at the 108 Central Military Hospital, a stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, is a serious condition where the brain is damaged due to a significant interruption or reduction of blood flow, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients for brain cells. Within just a few minutes, if blood supply is not restored, brain cells will start to die.
What Causes a Stroke?
Dr. Huong explains that strokes can be classified into three types:
- Ischemic Stroke (Cerebral Infarction): This accounts for about 85% of all stroke cases today. It occurs when blood clots block the arteries, hindering blood flow to the brain.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: This acute condition arises from the sudden rupture of blood vessels in the brain, causing bleeding into the brain tissue, which results in brain damage. It quickly leads to brain tissue death and is particularly dangerous with a high mortality rate.
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): This condition is caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain (usually lasting less than 10 minutes), after which circulation is restored. It has a better prognosis and does not cause severe brain damage. However, recurrent TIAs may signal an increased risk of ischemic stroke.
According to Dr. Vu Quynh Huong, the underlying cause of strokes is instability in cerebral blood circulation, which can be categorized into controllable and uncontrollable risk factors.
Controllable risk factors include:
- Hypertension: This facilitates the formation of blood clots, obstructs blood flow to the brain, and can lead to hemorrhagic strokes.
- High Cholesterol and Overweight: These conditions can lead to various diseases such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and increased stroke risk.
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Heart failure, atrial fibrillation, heart infections, and arrhythmias significantly increase the risk of stroke.
- Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA): Previous TIAs indicate a higher risk for future strokes.
- Recurrent Stroke: A personal history of stroke can lead to a recurrence within the first few months, with this risk lasting up to five years before gradually declining.
- Smoking: Tobacco smoke damages blood vessel walls and increases arterial stiffness, contributing to hypertension.
On the other hand, uncontrollable risk factors for stroke include:
- Age: While anyone can have a stroke, older adults, especially those over 55, are at a higher risk.
- Gender: Males have a higher risk of stroke compared to females.
- Race: African Americans are twice as likely to have a stroke compared to Caucasians.
- Family History: Individuals with relatives who have had strokes or cardiovascular diseases are at a higher risk than the general population.
Early Detection of Stroke
“The FAST rule is an acronym used by the American Heart Association (AHA) and other organizations. It serves as a mnemonic for patients and their families to easily remember the symptoms of a stroke, enabling early recognition and timely emergency response,” Dr. Huong stated.
Specifically, FAST includes: Face, Arm, Speech, and Time.
- Face: Stroke patients may exhibit unusual signs such as facial drooping or vision disturbances.
- Arm and Leg: Patients often experience weakness or difficulty moving their limbs during a stroke.
- Speech: Affected individuals may slur their speech, have difficulty articulating words, or may not be able to express themselves clearly.
- Time: It is crucial for bystanders to quickly call for emergency services to ensure timely treatment for the patient.
Additionally, Dr. Huong emphasizes that recognizing the signs of a stroke is critical, and time is a vital factor.
Weakness in arms and legs is one of the early signs of a stroke. (Illustration: mufid_majnun).
“You should immediately call emergency services at 115 or take the patient to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible. The critical time window for stroke treatment is within 4.5 hours. If thrombolytic medication (to dissolve blood clots) is administered or mechanical thrombectomy is performed within 6-8 hours for large artery occlusions, the patient has a significant chance of recovery and reducing complications,” the expert explained.
Conversely, if medical assistance is delayed, treatment becomes very challenging, and the patient’s chances of recovery diminish significantly.
Dr. Huong also advises that while waiting for emergency help, individuals should perform certain first aid measures:
- Assist the patient to avoid falls and injuries.
- Position the patient in a cool, well-ventilated area with their head elevated 20-30 degrees.
- If the patient is conscious, gather information such as their name, contact number of relatives, and any chronic health conditions to relay to medical personnel upon arrival.
- If the patient is vomiting, position them at a 45-degree angle and clear any mucus to prevent choking.
- If the patient is unconscious, check their pulse. If the patient is in cardiac arrest, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary. You can call 115 for guidance if you’re unsure how to proceed.
Furthermore, the expert stresses several actions to avoid, such as gathering large crowds around the patient; self-administering hot oil massages, scraping the skin, using needles on fingertips, or giving the patient any medications without professional guidance.
